Selling a car that needs work on it?

kmb500

Hi, does anyone have any advice on how to sell a car that needs work doing to it?

My car has some rust issues, and my local garage had a look at the weekend and said it would cost £800 to do all the work in order for it to pass an MOT. The cam belt is also due so I would be looking at spending upwards of £1000 to get the car to a normal sale price.. but it's only worth about £1500 even in good condition. I am really struggling to justify spending this much money just to make it sellable.. so I'd prefer to just sell it now and try to get £500+ for it.


Does anyone have any tips on selling a car like this? The car is otherwise in good condition, no other issues apart from the rust.

DonnySaver

I doubt you'll be able to get rid of this via a private sale - not unless the buyer is someone who is handy at doing-up cars and selling them on.

An independent garage might also see some profit in it as they'd be able to do the necessary repair work much cheaper than what you've be quoted.

Thought about somewhere such as webuyanycar ?

kmb500

DonnySaver wrote: »

I doubt you'll be able to get rid of this via a private sale - not unless the buyer is someone who is handy at doing-up cars and selling them on.

An independent garage might also see some profit in it as they'd be able to do the necessary repair work much cheaper than what you've be quoted.

Thought about somewhere such as webuyanycar ?

It is a Mazda MX-5 so they are desirable cars with plenty of enthusiasts who can do them up. In fact I posed the same question on an MX-5 forum yesterday and within a couple hours someone had actually messaged me saying they would be interested in buying it. I'll pursue that obviously but if it doesn't work out - I think it can be done, but I've never sold a car before let alone a car that isn't in full working condition and just wondered if anyone had some thoughts on this.


Webuyanycar said £300 but that's for one in good condition. I looked at places that buy cars in need of repair and got quoted things like £150. I'd like a bit more than that...!


You might be right about selling to a garage so I might have a look into that. Hadn't thought of that.
Cheers

GDB2222

My son crashed my MX5. It was a write off for insurance purposes, but I sold it on ebay to someone who wanted to do it up.

caprikid1

This fits Ebay perfectly.


Set a lowish start price ? £500 ??? Photo's of the issues , list out the fail items.


Clear photo's of the rust.


You will be surprised how much you get. Lots of buyers out there for this sort of car. Where are you ? I can weld (-;

BeenThroughItAll

Assuming it's a Mk1-2-2.5 because you mention rust problems and a £1500 GC price, the first thing you can forget is doing the timing belt. It's a non-interference engine so you're running no significant risk other than of needing recovery if the belt snaps.

Timing belt on a Mk1-2-2.5 takes about an hour and a half.

foxy-stoat

Sell it on the MX5 forum, you will get what its worth.

caprikid1

Forums are not always a good place to sell.


1. Most people have one already
2. Cars can be subject to discussion unfairly and run the price down.
3. They can be a bit of a closed shop in terms of pricing and outsiders may get less than market value.


Ebay all day every day for this, it is the first place enthusiasts look for a car these days. Has the largest audience , lowest costs and maximum visibility in terms of photos etc.

kmb500

caprikid1 wrote: »

Forums are not always a good place to sell.


1. Most people have one already
2. Cars can be subject to discussion unfairly and run the price down.
3. They can be a bit of a closed shop in terms of pricing and outsiders may get less than market value.


Ebay all day every day for this, it is the first place enthusiasts look for a car these days. Has the largest audience , lowest costs and maximum visibility in terms of photos etc.

Do you know if it's easier to sell by listing it as an auction, or as a classified ad? Maybe I am alone in this but I personally would not want to invest in a car without knowing if I would even be able to buy it!

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Assuming it's a Mk1-2-2.5 because you mention rust problems and a £1500 GC price, the first thing you can forget is doing the timing belt. It's a non-interference engine so you're running no significant risk other than of needing recovery if the belt snaps.

Timing belt on a Mk1-2-2.5 takes about an hour and a half.

Yeah it's a mk2.5. I know the cambelt isn't a risk or anything, but I would think that having a cambelt due imminently would put the car at a disadvantage in terms of selling it.

caprikid1

If its something really special maybe a classified ad.


Something like this needs to go via auction to find its price.

anajames

There must be someone for sure to buy and build it.